The VIMS seine survey monitors juvenile fish abundance for many species, including Atlantic menhaden. The annual survey, initiated in 1967, has operated continuously since 1980 and continues through the present. Sampling is conducted biweekly from early July through mid-September at fixed stations on the James, York (including Pamunkey and Mattaponi), and Rappahannock river systems. A 100 ft. long, 4 ft. deep, 1/4 in. bar-mesh minnow seine is used to capture fish for identification and measurement. An index of abundance for juvenile Atlantic menhaden is calculated using data from 16 stations for all months of the survey. This index shows an apparent decline in juvenile menhaden numbers since the 1980s. The index value for 2006 was 0.79 compared with the survey's greatest index value, 9.01, which occurred in 1982.